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Root Canal Therapy in Grand Prairie Takes Away the Pain

Do you have a toothache that just won’t seem to go away? Or, has it actually gotten worse as you’ve tried to ignore it? If so, then the problem might actually involve the delicate nerve of the tooth. In these situations, the only way to relieve the pain and save the tooth from extraction is with root canal therapy. Despite its somewhat dubious reputation, root canal therapy is actually a virtually painless procedure that our dentists successfully perform every day.

Why Would You Need a Root Canal?

The teeth are actually composed of three distinct layers: enamel on the outside, dentin underneath that, and at the center lies a bit of soft tissue called the dental pulp. This consists of a few blood vessels, and as we touched on above, the sensitive nerve of the tooth. Whether due to decay or dental trauma, the pulp can sometimes become exposed to bacteria and develop an infection, leading to a very painful toothache. Using X-ray imaging, our dentists can determine if damaged pulp is indeed the cause of a patient’s discomfort, and from there, they can recommend if a patient should undergo root canal therapy.

The Basics of Root Canal Therapy

When a patient receives root canal therapy, the procedure involves a few basic steps:

1. The dentist will numb the tooth with local anesthetic.

2. They will create a small access hole in the tooth to reach the dental pulp.

3. The dental pulp will be gently removed.

4. The tooth will be cleaned, sanitized, and filled with a material to replace the lost structure.

5. The access hole will be closed, and the dentist will restore the tooth with a temporary filling or crown.

6. At a follow-up appointment, your dentist may choose to further rebuild the tooth using a permanent crown.

Thanks to modern-day dental techniques including nitrous oxide sedation, most patients report feeling very little discomfort both during and after their treatment.

At Marvel Dental, root canal therapy is no longer anything to fear. In fact, it’s often the answer that many patients have been looking for. If you’re in dental pain and want it to finally go away for good, we can help, so contact us today for an appointment.